Chandigarh:
Cold wave conditions relented a bit in Punjab and Haryana in the new year, though mercury fell by up to five notches below the normal, while thick fog engulfed several places of the region leading to poor visibility.
Capital Chandigarh recorded the season's lowest mercury at 1.2 degree Celsius, dipping by five degrees below normal.
Amritsar continued to be coldest place in the region as it recorded minimum temperature of minus 0.2 degree Celsius, falling by four notches below normal, the Met office said in Chandigarh.
Ambala, Rohtak and Karnal in Haryana recorded a low of 4.5 C, 5.6 C and 4.4 C, which was higher than the Thursday's mercury of 0.8 C, 1.2 C and 3.6 C, respectively even as minimum temperature fell by up to three notches below normal.
Hisar and Narnaul saw mercury settling at 7.2 C and 3.6 C respectively which was also more than yesterday's temperature. In Punjab, Ludhiana and Patiala recorded a low of 3.4 C and 6.1 C, higher than yesterday's 3.1 C and 4.3 C.
As per Met forecast, days will be clear while fog and mist will continue in several places of Punjab and Haryana during day and night.